There are a lot of reasons why we turn to unhealthy food. It may be to celebrate a happy occasion, like a birthday or an anniversary. It could also be as a reward for doing something well, or maybe just motivation to get through the day. Sometimes our penchant for sugary and fatty foods is a little more troublesome – we may eat because we are feeling low, want a quick pick-me-up, or need some kind of outlet for our feelings.
While this is normal for many of us, long term it could lead to an unhealthy relationship with food, and negative consequences like putting on weight, spikes in blood sugar levels, or high cholesterol.
If you’ve ever felt confused about food, or wondered: “What is cholesterol?”, relax – it’s not as complicated as it seems. Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance that is produced by the liver and carried in the blood. If too much cholesterol builds up, it can build up on arterial walls, and when this happens it becomes difficult for the heart to push blood around the body. This is why elevated cholesterol is considered to be one of the risk factors of heart disease, although there is more than one risk factor, and you may have to deal with all of them to reduce the overall risk of it.
So, what is cholesterol affected by, and how do we avoid increasing it? The answer is not to ditch our favourite foods altogether, but to simply find a way of balancing them with healthier meals. Whilst it is sometimes difficult to get right, it is definitely worth it when we do. Our body appreciates being well looked after, and we can indulge in our favourite foods from time to time – without the guilt!
In order to get the balance right, it’s important to understand the different properties of food – in other words, to realise what it is that makes them healthy or unhealthy. For example, you should be aware of how much fat is in a certain product – especially in baked goods, dairy, or meat products, which are often high in saturated fat in particular.
Saturated fat content matters because as well as fat quantity, it is equally important to be aware of the fat quality – which of the different types of fat are found in your food. For a healthy, balanced diet we do not need to avoid all fat, but instead start replacing saturated or ‘bad’ fat with unsaturated, ‘good’ fat. By doing this, you will be able to make smarter food choices, and give yourself the best chance of getting that all-important clean bill of health.
Once you can answer the question “What is cholesterol affected by?” it’s not difficult to keep cholesterol levels down – just remember to keep the majority of your food choices healthy. There’s no need to deny yourself tasty treats either, simply enjoy them in moderation, and pack your meals with fresh, wholesome food the rest of the time. You’ll start to feel better for it and your heart will thank you too!
